Nigeria face a key clash with Rwanda as the Super Eagles bid to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The reverse fixture, played on neutral ground in Kigali in March, is the only one of six Group C matches that Nigeria have won. They are in danger of missing out on a second successive World Cup.
Victor Osimhen settled that contest with a brace and head coach Eric Chelle will hope his star striker can produce similar heroics ahead of Tuesday’s crucial trip to Bloemfontein to take on group leaders South Africa.
Rwanda lie second on eight points, five behind Bafana Bafana and one ahead of Nigeria. A draw here, especially considering FIFA could impose a points deduction on South Africa for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March, would be huge for the Amavubi’s bid to reach a maiden World Cup.
The Sporting News is following Nigeria vs. Rwanda and will update with key developments in the match.
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Nigeria vs. Rwanda score
| 2nd Half | Goalscorers | |
| Nigeria | 0 | _ |
| Rwanda | 0 | _ |
Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gabon)
Starting lineups:
Nigeria (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. Nwabali (GK) — 2. Aina, 13. Fredrick, 21. Bassey, 3. Onyemaechi — 4. Ndidi, 17. Iwobi — 8. Onyeka. 7. Lookman, 15. Simon — 9. Osimhen
Rwanda (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Ntwari (GK) — 15. Mugusha 5. Mutsinzi, 17. Manzi, 2. Niyomugabo — 19. Nshuti — 13. Omborenga, 4. Dizimana, 12. Mugisha 14. Kavita — 9. Hamon
Nigeria vs. Rwanda live updates, commentary, highlights
Halftime
Iwobi hits a misjudged pass out for a goalkick and that’s a wrap for the half. Rwanda playing like a team that know a draw is a good result and know they can get it. Nigeria skipper Ndidi calls his men into a huddle for a rallying talk before they leave the field.
32 mins: Iwobi tries his look from distance and Ntwari tips over. You can sense frustration building for Nigeria.
8 mins: Osimhen, who scored both goals in the reverse fixture, thinks he’s put Nigeria in front when he taps home at the far post on the end of Lookman’s pass but the offside flag goes up.
Nigeria vs. Rwanda kick off time
The match kicks off in Uyo, Nigeria at 5 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Sep. 6 | 12 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Sep. 6 | 9 a.m. PT |
| UK | Sat, Sep. 6 | 5 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sun, Sep. 7 | 3 a.m. AEST |
| India | Sat, Sep. 6 | 10:30 p.m. IST |
Nigeria vs. Rwanda lineups, team news
Chelle has seven Premier League players in his squad for these key matches, with Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Alex Iwobi all set to start.
Samuel Chukwueze completed a deadline-day loan move to join Iwobi at Fulham and will line up alongside Victor Osimhen in attack.
Osimhen will be under pressure to fire for Nigeria with Chelle opting against calling several key forwards, including Victor Boniface, Umar Sadiq and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Nigeria starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. Nwabali (GK) — 2. Aina, 13. Fredrick, 21. Bassey, 3. Onyemaechi — 4. Ndidi, 17. Iwobi — 8. Onyeka. 7. Lookman, 15. Simon — 9. Osimhen
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Nigeria full roster
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye, Amas, Obasogie.
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Bright Oyasi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Felix Agu, Benjamin Fredrick.
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wifred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche.
Forwards: Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare.
Rwanda are led by veteran coach Adel Amrouche, who has previously managed Burundi, Kenya, Libya, Botswana, Yemen and Tanzania.
The majority of his squad are based domestically in Rwanda, but Rhode Island FC forward Jojea Kwizera is the player to watch with two goals in qualification already.
Rwanda (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Ntwari (GK) — 15. Mugusha 5. Mutsinzi, 17. Manzi, 2. Niyomugabo — 19. Nshuti — 13. Omborenga, 4. Dizimana, 12. Mugisha 14. Kavita — 9. Hamon
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Rwanda full roster
Goalkeepers: Fiacre Ntwari, Pierre Ishimwe, Clement Twizere Buhake.
Defenders: Fitina Omborenga, Thierry Manzi, Ange Mutsinzi, Claude Niyomugabo, Aly-Enzo Hamon, Phanuel Kavita, Alexis Nduwayo, Darryl Nkulikiyimana, Emmanuel Nshimiyimana.
Midfielders: Dijhad Bizimana, Kevin Muhire, Bonheur Mugisha, Jojea Kwizera, Bryan Ngwabije, Claude Kayibanda.
Forwards: Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Abeddy Birmahire, Arthur Gitego, Anicet Ishimwe.
Nigeria vs. Rwanda Forest live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Fubo, ESPN |
| Canada | — | FIFA+ |
| UK | — | FIFA+ |
| Australia | — | FIFA+ |
| India | — | FIFA+ |
